Soldering irons? Breadboarding?

Lynxmotion
1

I’d appreciate some advice regarding two electronic construction issues:

  1. I need to buy a soldering iron to do a very small amount of electronic assembly. For example, soldering two resistors end to end or soldering IC pins into circuit boards. On the digikey web site soldering irons are listed from about $36 on up to $200. How much should I expect to pay for a decent one? How many watts power should I get?

  2. I have some components containing pins that are sometimes 0.1 inches separated, sometimes 0.2 inches separated (for example, the following relay has pins that are spaced 0.2 inches apart:
    rocky.digikey.com/weblib/Potter% … SERIES.jpg
    I’m doing my assembly on a breadboard, but I can’t insert these components into the breadboard because the notches in my breadboard terminal strips are 0.3 inches wide. What else can I use for rapid prototyping assembly (preferably solderless) of these components?

Regards, Joe

2

I use a 15 watt soldering iron fom Radio Shack. Works well for the small work. They also carry the replacement tips.

3

Heres a cheap Soldering Iron :
hobbytron.com/25-watt-soldering-iron.html

4

Thats a little too cheap IMO and most likely will have problems later down the road. Roboteering and other electronical work requires a working soldering iron :wink:

5

I bought one just like that and it lasted two years. I used it alot too.

6

Go to your local RadioShack/the source and pick up a $15 30-40W iron, also get some nice solder.

Edit: and make sure you get a reasonable spring stand.

7

Thanks everyone for the valuable advice. RadioShack looks to be the best solution.
Regards,
Joe